LSU bounces back to beat Bulldogs

LSU's chances of repeating as SEC champions and returning to the BCS Championship Game were all but mathematically ended when they lost to then-No. 1 Alabama on Nov. 3.

But the Tigers were determined not to let that last-minute loss have a carry-over effect against Mississippi State on Saturday. They watched the Bulldogs grab an early seven-point lead, overcame that and took the lead for good in the second quarter.

In the end, LSU pulled away to a 37-17 victory that improved it to 8-2 and 4-2 in the SEC.

"The question was whether this football team would come to play after playing an emotional game a week ago," Tigers coach Les Miles said. "There is not any question that they were.

"There is a fundamental feeling in this stadium and in our football building that we are just catching speed. We are just getting the pace that we need. We are not going to sacrifice our improvement based on the fact that we played a tough game."

One thing that did carry over from the game against Alabama was an improved passing game.

"(The offense) is very confident," wide receiver Jarvis Landry said. "A lot of guys on offense feel like we got that swag back. That's something we really want to embrace, let it carry over from the Alabama game and show the world that we can be an efficient and effective offense."

LSU allowed a touchdown on Mississippi State's first possession and trailed 7-3 after one quarter. But the Tigers grabbed a 20-10 halftime lead and were never caught.

"They did some things we didn't necessarily practice for," linebacker Kevin Minter said. "Once we got it adjusted, we started stopping them.

"It's LSU. We win. We felt like we had to come back and get back to what we do."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Things are clicking. We're peaking right now, and it's a good time to start peaking." -- LSU QB Zach Mettenberger on the Tigers' much-improved passing game.

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NCAAF Team Report - LSU - STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

PLAYER NOTES:

--S Craig Loston intercepted a Tyler Russell pass and returned the ball 100 yards for a touchdown to complete the scoring. He tied the school record for longest interception return, matching one by Greg Jackson against Mississippi State in 1988 and one by White Graves against Kentucky in 1964.

--QB Zach Mettenberger had his second consecutive standout game. Mettenberger, who set season-highs in attempts (35), completions (28) and yards (298) in the 21-17 loss to Alabama a week earlier, was nearly as good against State. He completed 19-of-30 for 273 yards and two touchdowns. He had his third consecutive turnover-free game after committing at least one turnover in each of the first seven games.

--A big part of QB Zach Mettenberger's success the last two weeks has been the standout play of WR Jarvis Landry. He surpassed the career-high eight catches that he had tied against the Tide and grabbed nine passes for a career-high 109 yards and a touchdown.

ROSTER REPORT

--G Josh Williford (concussion) hasn't played since Oct. 6.

--T Alex Hurst has left the team because of an unspecified personal issue.

--RB Alfred Blue (knee) is out indefinitely.

--LB Kwon Alexander (ankle) is out for the rest of the regular season.